"Prosecutor's Office Journalist Call Records Inquiry Is an Infringement on Press Freedom"

International Journalists Association, Official Statement

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The International Press Institute (IPI) issued a statement on the 25th (local time) condemning the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HOCI) for accessing the call records of over 120 journalists, stating that it "violates press freedom and threatens the anonymity of sources."

IPI explained, "In recent weeks, more Korean journalists have become aware that government authorities have accessed their call records," adding, "HOCI accessed the call records of at least 120 journalists from 22 media outlets, including some foreign news organizations."

They further emphasized, "Collecting such a large volume of data without any explanation infringes on press freedom and threatens the anonymity of sources," and stressed, "Journalists must uphold the right to protect their sources and carry out their work without government surveillance."

IPI also demanded that HOCI stop this indiscriminate collection of journalists' call records, which violates democratic norms, and called for a thorough investigation and explanation regarding targeting journalists and their families.

IPI is an organization composed of journalists, media executives, and editors from 120 countries worldwide, established in 1950, and has been actively working to defend press freedom.